Anyone starting the RN program at PPCC this Fall?

lencialoo · Jun 17, 2004

Hi, I'm due to start this course in the Fall and if there's anyone else out there, it would be nice to get to know other students a bit before we start :)
I'm Lynda, I live near Falcon, 40 years old, married, 2 daughters aged 8 and 13. You'll recognise me by my accent - I'm British LOL! Hobbies are hiking with my dog (a Great Dane called Wellington), Watercolour painting, Volunteering for the Great Dane Assistance League, collecting Fountain pens, Paper crafts, gourmet cooking, taking naps and having nice cups of tea.
I'm looking forward to starting nursing school, but feeling very nervous too! I'm not sure how my family is going to cope with not having Mum there all the time to look after them any more LOL!
Best wishes, Paint (Lynda)

Hi Paint (Lynda),

I will be starting the ADN at PPCC this fall as well. I think we may have spoken at the mandatory meeting in April...I do remember your accent. :)

Feel free to email me when you have time. I would love to get together prior to class in August.

Take Care,

Diane (lencialoo)

RNNoMore · Jun 18, 2004

Yay!!! there are others out there.... LOL! Hello Diane!!!

So, how are you getting on with all the paperwork and stuff that we have to hand in? I'm just about done - I'm just waiting for the letter from my doctor that says I'm fit & healthy to do the course (but will I be fit & healthy AFTER I've done the course?!!!). I've got my uniforms already and am in the process of ordering a few used books each payday from Barnes & Noble - the pile on my study floor is building - I have NO idea how we're supposed to carry them to class, I might have to hire a Llama.... The only things left that I still have to do is get the patches from the college bookstore, and the Nursing Packets.

I managed to get 'Can't See Through Me' Pants from AllHeart.com, which are still a bit see-through, but better than most. I don't know how I'm going to keep the darn things clean though - Having a black Great Dane that leans on me all the while is NOT going to help, why they changed the uniform from navy-blue to white is a mystery to me, LOL!

I'm currently finishing my pre-req's by doing the Microbiology this summer, then I'm set to go. I'm still nervous about the course, but getting more excited as the time gets nearer. I wasn't expecting to get on the course until next Fall, as I was way at the bottom of the waiting list - so it came as a bit of a shock. It would have been nice if the kids had been just that 1 year older, but they will manage. I put my eldest through the Red Cross babysitting course last week, so she will be able to help me out with her little sister.

It's going to be a big year for the whole family - Eldest daughter will be starting as a Freshman in High School, and my husband will be starting his Masters degree in Computer Science in July too. Youngest is excited to be going into 3rd grade......at least we can all study together LOL!

What section are you enrolled in for Clinicals & Peds? I chose section 244 - then found out that youngest has a day off school when we are doing the 12-hour clinicals in Peds week :rolleyes: Oh well - hubby will just have to do a bit of child-care for a change

Do you have any kids? pets?

Best wishes Diane, tell everyone you know about this post and we'll try to organise some get-togethers before class starts.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Lynda

lencialoo · Jun 19, 2004

Yay!!! there are others out there.... LOL! Hello Diane!!!
So, how are you getting on with all the paperwork and stuff that we have to hand in? I'm just about done - I'm just waiting for the letter from my doctor that says I'm fit & healthy to do the course (but will I be fit & healthy AFTER I've done the course?!!!). I've got my uniforms already and am in the process of ordering a few used books each payday from Barnes & Noble - the pile on my study floor is building - I have NO idea how we're supposed to carry them to class, I might have to hire a Llama.... The only things left that I still have to do is get the patches from the college bookstore, and the Nursing Packets.
I managed to get 'Can't See Through Me' Pants from AllHeart.com, which are still a bit see-through, but better than most. I don't know how I'm going to keep the darn things clean though - Having a black Great Dane that leans on me all the while is NOT going to help, why they changed the uniform from navy-blue to white is a mystery to me, LOL!
I'm currently finishing my pre-req's by doing the Microbiology this summer, then I'm set to go. I'm still nervous about the course, but getting more excited as the time gets nearer. I wasn't expecting to get on the course until next Fall, as I was way at the bottom of the waiting list - so it came as a bit of a shock. It would have been nice if the kids had been just that 1 year older, but they will manage. I put my eldest through the Red Cross babysitting course last week, so she will be able to help me out with her little sister.
It's going to be a big year for the whole family - Eldest daughter will be starting as a Freshman in High School, and my husband will be starting his Masters degree in Computer Science in July too. Youngest is excited to be going into 3rd grade......at least we can all study together LOL!
What section are you enrolled in for Clinicals & Peds? I chose section 244 - then found out that youngest has a day off school when we are doing the 12-hour clinicals in Peds week Oh well - hubby will just have to do a bit of child-care for a change
Do you have any kids? pets?
Best wishes Diane, tell everyone you know about this post and we'll try to organise some get-togethers before class starts.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Lynda

Hi again !!

I am also almost finished with all my paperwork, still need my last Hep. shot and I will be done. I passed CPR for Healthcare Professionals (Memorial Hospital) and have ordered most my books (except 2 that were optional) from Half.com, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I still need to get uniforms and also a stethscope (per the most recent letter from the college). The recommendations from this message board have been helpful but have not ordered one yet.

I have a medium hair black cat (who does shed) and a dog (little toy poodle) also black, but he doesnt shed at all. We will both be using a lint roller on our white uniforms before clinicals. :rolleyes:

I'm in section 243 for Peds and Clinicals. I will have to take vacation at work that week but doesnt seem to be a problem as far as they are concerned.

It sounds like you will be in good company with your studies, it's alot easier when everyone is in the study mode. :) My children are grown, I also have 2 granddaughers. I won't be able to see them as often but they all understand and support me. We will have to use the semester breaks wisely. I'm in awe of all the Moms (and Dads too) that are in Nursing programs !! You all have my deep respect !!!

Good luck with Microbiology class !! I'm really itching to get back to the studying and get started...

Just a note...I have a friend who just finished the PPCC - LPN program in May. She had 3 job offers and is working at her 1st preference. I'm sure she will be bridging over (LPN-RN) as soon as she can get into that program, I hope she will be in class for my 2nd year. :)

Take care !!

Diane

RNNoMore · Jun 20, 2004

Well, I can recommend AllHeart.com for uniforms - less expensive than the stores that the college recommended, and they do discounts if you order 2 or more of anything. I got my 'Can't see through me' pants from there (made by Gals of California). They were $14.95 a pair, which was less than a couple of dollars more than the basic cheap scrub pants Walmarts were selling, and much better quality. I bought some fitted plain white T-shirts to wear underneath my tunic top because I feel the cold a lot, and I can always slip them off if I get too warm.

I got my stethoscope and BP cuff from the college bookstore - but am regretting it a bit now, because I don't think it's all that good a quality (it could just be me not using it properly of course :chuckle ).

I have to have my last Hep shot too - in December, but that's OK as long as they have proof that you have started the course. I do the CPR course down at Centennial campus next weekend.

What are you going to do with the patches? I got a letter from the nursing department last week that recommended Velcro to attach them, but I would much rather sew them on, provided the colours don't run in the wash. I need to find out about that - or buy some and do some experimenting LOL!

I have a friend who just finished the LPN course too, her name is Eden and she was my study partner for A&P II. She also plans to take a years 'break' and get some experience working before she takes her RN, so hopefully we will also meet up in the second year LOL! She's getting married in 2 weeks time, so she has enough on her plate right now :)

I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with all the studying - I tend to overstudy and I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so things tend to take me a long time to do. I'm either going to have to speed up or try and have more faith in my memory or I'm never going to fit it all into a mere 24 hour day! We have to keep lab notebooks in our Microbiology class, and our professor said that she doesn't want them to be neat - white-out was NOT allowed, just to scribble out mistakes.....well, it's driving me crazy not being able to use white-out, all my scribbling out looks so messy LOL!

Well, hope you are having a great weekend, take care,

Lynda

lencialoo · Jun 21, 2004

Well, I can recommend AllHeart.com for uniforms - less expensive than the stores that the college recommended, and they do discounts if you order 2 or more of anything. I got my 'Can't see through me' pants from there (made by Gals of California). They were $14.95 a pair, which was less than a couple of dollars more than the basic cheap scrub pants Walmarts were selling, and much better quality. I bought some fitted plain white T-shirts to wear underneath my tunic top because I feel the cold a lot, and I can always slip them off if I get too warm.
I got my stethoscope and BP cuff from the college bookstore - but am regretting it a bit now, because I don't think it's all that good a quality (it could just be me not using it properly of course :chuckle ).
I have to have my last Hep shot too - in December, but that's OK as long as they have proof that you have started the course. I do the CPR course down at Centennial campus next weekend.
What are you going to do with the patches? I got a letter from the nursing department last week that recommended Velcro to attach them, but I would much rather sew them on, provided the colours don't run in the wash. I need to find out about that - or buy some and do some experimenting LOL!
I have a friend who just finished the LPN course too, her name is Eden and she was my study partner for A&P II. She also plans to take a years 'break' and get some experience working before she takes her RN, so hopefully we will also meet up in the second year LOL! She's getting married in 2 weeks time, so she has enough on her plate right now :)
I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with all the studying - I tend to overstudy and I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so things tend to take me a long time to do. I'm either going to have to speed up or try and have more faith in my memory or I'm never going to fit it all into a mere 24 hour day! We have to keep lab notebooks in our Microbiology class, and our professor said that she doesn't want them to be neat - white-out was NOT allowed, just to scribble out mistakes.....well, it's driving me crazy not being able to use white-out, all my scribbling out looks so messy LOL!
Well, hope you are having a great weekend, take care,
Lynda

Hello Paint,

...monday at work and no sun !! Heavens I just feel like going back to bed !

"Thanks" for the recommedation on scrub pants, I was wondering how I would find whites online and make sure they werent "see through". I will have to check out the allhearts.com website. I think a t-shirt or sleeveless t-top is a great idea under a tunic or vest-style top, esp with the bending over we will have to do, the tunics are kinda roomy. :rolleyes:

I have heard the velcro works well so will probably go that route and purchase a couple of patches. They may be able to tell you if the patches are colorfast in the bookstore though if you want to go that route...I would think they would be more secure if they were sewn on.

I was wondering with all the books we have to get how I would ever get through the reading in 2 semesters. A good majority of them are for the entire 2 years as reference but it's still alot. :crying2: My memory isn't great but I do better when I really love the subject so hopefully that will help me.

I think being a perfectionist is a great trait for a nurse, your patients will appreciate it I'm sure, even though it may be tough on you. :) I would be a bit bothered scratching out mistakes too, my documents at work have to be as close to perfect as possible when they go out since customers see them too.

Take care...it's a great day to settle down with a good book..( and a cup of tea too)

Diane

PS. This may be a silly question but what's a "natter" ? (I'm thinking a good chat...but wasnt sure) :chuckle

RNNoMore · Jun 22, 2004

LOL, you are right - a 'natter' is a good chat :) When I first came here I was amazed at the sheer amount of words that are different between our two languages - you think that English is English, but it really can be like two separate languages LOL Even little things, like we call a shopping cart, a shopping trolley, we have 'Green fingers' you have 'Green thumbs', we have 'Ladybirds' you have 'Ladybugs', we have 'cutlery' you have 'silverware', we have 'jacket potatoes' you have 'baked potatoes'..... Honestly, I confuse so many people, and I still never know exactly what I'm going to get from McDonalds drive-through, because they can never understand my accent LOL! It's fun though :)

I am sooooooo fed up with this weather. It's just like being back in Britain LOL! The beautiful weather is the main reason I love Colorado so much.

I just found out that a lot of the books you can get as software versions for PDA's, things like the RNotes, Davis Lab & Diagnostic tests, Davis Drug guide etc., so I was a bit annoyed, because I'd much prefer them to be on my PDA, for easy reference at clinicals. If you still need any of these books, let me know, because I now have copies that I don't need, because I'm going to get them as PDA versions instead. You can even get the NCLEX-RN review books as PDA versions - so you can test yourself wherever you are and not have to carry around a big hulking book.

My kids are rebelling at the moment - they've both got cabin fever because of being stuck inside with the weather, and want to go out.....unfortunately I have a Microbiology quiz tonight and lots of studying to do Oh well, maybe If I work really hard, I can keep Friday free for them.

btw, the online stores do a much wider range of sizes - so you can get a better fitting tunic top.

Best wishes, Lynda

lencialoo · Jun 23, 2004

LOL, you are right - a 'natter' is a good chat :) When I first came here I was amazed at the sheer amount of words that are different between our two languages - you think that English is English, but it really can be like two separate languages LOL Even little things, like we call a shopping cart, a shopping trolley, we have 'Green fingers' you have 'Green thumbs', we have 'Ladybirds' you have 'Ladybugs', we have 'cutlery' you have 'silverware', we have 'jacket potatoes' you have 'baked potatoes'..... Honestly, I confuse so many people, and I still never know exactly what I'm going to get from McDonalds drive-through, because they can never understand my accent LOL! It's fun though :)
I am sooooooo fed up with this weather. It's just like being back in Britain LOL! The beautiful weather is the main reason I love Colorado so much.
I just found out that a lot of the books you can get as software versions for PDA's, things like the RNotes, Davis Lab & Diagnostic tests, Davis Drug guide etc., so I was a bit annoyed, because I'd much prefer them to be on my PDA, for easy reference at clinicals. If you still need any of these books, let me know, because I now have copies that I don't need, because I'm going to get them as PDA versions instead. You can even get the NCLEX-RN review books as PDA versions - so you can test yourself wherever you are and not have to carry around a big hulking book.
My kids are rebelling at the moment - they've both got cabin fever because of being stuck inside with the weather, and want to go out.....unfortunately I have a Microbiology quiz tonight and lots of studying to do Oh well, maybe If I work really hard, I can keep Friday free for them.
btw, the online stores do a much wider range of sizes - so you can get a better fitting tunic top.
Best wishes, Lynda

:rotfl: Well then we are having a great online "natter" !!

I took the day off work yesterday, it was my birthday. I dont think anyone should have to work on their birthday. My grandaughter called me early with the sweetest lil "Happy Birthday" song I have ever heard and told me to make sure I had some cake and I "had" to have the 1st piece too.

My boyfriend and I drove to Denver for the day. We went to the 16th Street Mall and to the Cheesecake factory for lunch (and cake).

:balloons: :rotfl:

After so many rainy days we finally had a really nice day yesterday so that was very nice ! Hope your day was better, it was at least nice enough for the kids to get outside for a change. :coollook:

I did buy my stethescope from Doctors Supply - located on Chelton Loop just south of the Citadel. They were nice enough to let us try a couple of models. I chose the Littman Classic II and it works very well. My daughter and I are meeting for Yoga class tonight, I cant wait to try it on a "patient" :) :)

Paint, I have a PDA too and have downloaded numerous "free" programs" on it but so far only 1 "RN Fast Facts" that I paid for...it's very similar to "RNotes" I think. I may download "RNotes" and a Drug Guide later on. The screen is smaller and I wasnt sure how well it would work for a book as thick as the drug guide but it might be easier to search it that way. It might be worth it to download a "trial" version but they usually dont have the "full" edition, only a sample.

I think it will be fun to try to "deciper" your accent and the different interpretations :), a "shopping trolley" sounds like a motorized version of a shopping cart :chuckle....mosts Moms' probably wished that was true...esp. my daughter when she is in her shop till we drop mode.

RNNoMore · Jun 27, 2004

Hi!

I'm glad you had such a lovely birthday! I studied until 2am last Tuesday night, so that I could have Wednesday off and take the kids to JoyRides. We had a great day - weather was hot & sunny, the kids had fun, and then we met up with my husband after work and had dinner out.

I passed my CPR course yesterday, it was fun & interesting, but a long day. I got home and hubby wanted to go shopping for new desks for the study (part of our plan to study together is to get that room sorted out before hubby starts his Master's degree in just over a weeks time), so off we went to Oak Express, where there were some nice desks - but none in stock, so then we looked in Office Max, then we got hungry so went to TGI Fridays for dinner, then off down to American Furniture Warehouse where we found beautiful desks that we fell in love with - but again, none in stock. Still, we ordered 2, and will just have to wait. We can still sort the study out, and he can use an old kitchen table until the new desks arrive. We might have to get some extra bookcases too. I can't wait to be able to do my college work on my lovely new desk - the one I'm using at the moment is in my 'painting room' upstairs, and has no drawers, so it gets very cluttered up with pens & papers all the time, and I have no more room in my bookcases or cupboards up here, so all my college papers, files and books are piled up all over the floor (I have a little pathway to my desk LOL!). It will be nice to get this room sorted out for just my hobbies again. The best thing will be being able to study together, instead of us spending every evening in separate parts of the house :) We can take it in turns to make cups of tea LOL!

I have midterm exams next week, and am hoping that things will quieten down somewhat after that and I can start enjoying the summer a bit more with the girls. My plans of only studying on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer have gone a bit awry so far...

I e-mailed the first-year tutor about the patches, to try and find out if they run in the wash, and if there is a specific place she wants them to be attached. The ones I got from the bookstore were iron-on versions, but I don't think the glue would be strong enough to survive many washes. They were quite expensive too, nearly $4 each, so I'm wondering if that is why they recommend velcro - so people only have to buy 1 patch and swop it round from uniform to uniform?

Take care, we will have to get together for a coffee soon :)

Lynda.

lencialoo · Jun 29, 2004

Hi!
I'm glad you had such a lovely birthday! I studied until 2am last Tuesday night, so that I could have Wednesday off and take the kids to JoyRides. We had a great day - weather was hot & sunny, the kids had fun, and then we met up with my husband after work and had dinner out.
I passed my CPR course yesterday, it was fun & interesting, but a long day. I got home and hubby wanted to go shopping for new desks for the study (part of our plan to study together is to get that room sorted out before hubby starts his Master's degree in just over a weeks time), so off we went to Oak Express, where there were some nice desks - but none in stock, so then we looked in Office Max, then we got hungry so went to TGI Fridays for dinner, then off down to American Furniture Warehouse where we found beautiful desks that we fell in love with - but again, none in stock. Still, we ordered 2, and will just have to wait. We can still sort the study out, and he can use an old kitchen table until the new desks arrive. We might have to get some extra bookcases too. I can't wait to be able to do my college work on my lovely new desk - the one I'm using at the moment is in my 'painting room' upstairs, and has no drawers, so it gets very cluttered up with pens & papers all the time, and I have no more room in my bookcases or cupboards up here, so all my college papers, files and books are piled up all over the floor (I have a little pathway to my desk LOL!). It will be nice to get this room sorted out for just my hobbies again. The best thing will be being able to study together, instead of us spending every evening in separate parts of the house :) We can take it in turns to make cups of tea LOL!
I have midterm exams next week, and am hoping that things will quieten down somewhat after that and I can start enjoying the summer a bit more with the girls. My plans of only studying on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer have gone a bit awry so far...
I e-mailed the first-year tutor about the patches, to try and find out if they run in the wash, and if there is a specific place she wants them to be attached. The ones I got from the bookstore were iron-on versions, but I don't think the glue would be strong enough to survive many washes. They were quite expensive too, nearly $4 each, so I'm wondering if that is why they recommend velcro - so people only have to buy 1 patch and swop it round from uniform to uniform?
Take care, we will have to get together for a coffee soon :)
Lynda.

Paint,

Congrats on passing your CPR !!

I enjoyed the class, hope I can keep my head about me if I ever have to use it...and hope I don't ever have to but at least I will be better prepared.

It sounds like you have a nice plan for organizing your study area, you should be all set by the time fall classes start ! I recently purchased bookcases and a small computer armoire so I could close the doors off and hide the mess. I don't have a large area for study so it went into my family room.

Good luck with mid-terms !! Hopefully it will start to really be "summer" here soon and we can enjoy it a bit before school starts.

I still need to stop by the bookstore and pick up my class packets and the patches...at $4 I think I will buy only 1 and use the velcro. If they are iron on I wonder how easy they are to remove it case you would want to wear the uniform later on.

Did you purchase the "gait belt" yet? I was wondering if they have them in the bookstore or if I will have to go somewhere else to get them.

Have a great day ! :)

Diane

RNNoMore · Jun 30, 2004

Hi Diane,

I got an e-mail back from the instructor about the patches: apparently they do run in the wash, and that is why they suggest the velcro - but you can just get a couple of patches and swop them from top to top if you use velcro too, She said to sew it right round the edges, which will be a bit fiddly, and they have to be positioned about 2" down from the shoulder seam of the left arm, so I'm glad I asked, because I would have put them on the front LOL!

I am pretty sure I've seen the gait belts in the bookstore. I'd forgotten I needed one of those too - thanks for reminding me!

My micro exam was one of the hardest I've ever done I think I probably still got a B, but if I did it was more luck than knowledge! I will know for sure tomorrow. Lots of yukky metabolism and chemistry questions (not my strong point!). I'm going to take a break tomorrow and take the girls out - maybe a picnic somewhere, and get some fresh air & sunshine :)

Well, it's very late (nearly midnight), so I'm off to bed now. Hope you have a good day tomorrow :)

Lynda

J. B. · Jun 30, 2004

Noticed the thread and want to say hello. I am a 1980 grad working her ein Colorado Springs.

Good luck to all of you

If have any questions would love to try to answer them.

Terry Mason

AKA John Bosco